Diageo Reserve World Class 2010 Global Final

ATHENS, Greece, July 16, 2010 - Massimo La Rocca, bartender at Sheen Falls Lodge, Co. Kerry, has been
announced as winner of the Ritual & Cocktail Theatre Challenge at DIAGEO
RESERVE WORLD CLASS 2010 and third overall. The title of DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD
CLASS Bartender of the Year was presented to Erik Lorincz from The Connaught
Bar, London.

Max impressed judge Peter Dorelli with his imagination and
sense of theatre. "You've got to leave a mark on your guests before they
leave your bar," explains Max. "Throughout everything I've done, there are
these very Italian threads: deliver something unique that involves all the
senses and creates a real feeling of family."

After a year long global challenge which saw 9000 bartenders from around
the globe shake, stir and pour their way through national heats, just 24 of
the most talented remained to compete over four days of WORLD CLASS
challenges using the premium liquids of the Reserve portfolio - Ketel One(R)
vodka, Ciroc(R) vodka, Tanqueray(R) No. TEN(TM) gin, Don Julio(R) tequila,
Zacapa(R) rum and Johnnie Walker(R) Gold Label(TM) and Blue Label(TM) Blended
Scotch Whisky.

WORLD CLASS was established by Diageo Reserve, the luxury division of
DIAGEO plc, to educate and inspire talented bartenders to create exceptional
cocktails, service and experiences, which are then brought to life in some of
the best bars around the world.

www.weareworldclass.com

ABOUT DIAGEO

DIAGEO is the world's leading premium drinks business with an
outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and
beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff,
J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu
Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

DIAGEO is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries
around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange
(DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo,
its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global
resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best
practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com. Celebrating
life, every day, everywhere.

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

For press information: Neville McCarthy Associates (+44(0)20-7940-2900), Sarah Marshall Joanna Good, +44 (0)7515 051610 +44(0)7515-922949, sarah at nevillemccarthy.com joanna at nevillemccarthy.com; To download high resolution images: diffordsguide.thirdlight.com/libraryhome.tlx, - Select 'World Class 2010', - Password D1ageo# (case sensitive)